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Panny takes wraps off budget Lumix

Is it time to reflect on the spec list of the budget compact camera circa 2008? Panasonic's new 8.3-megapixel LS80, for example, has a 3x zoom,

21 January 2008/6:00GMT

Is it time to reflect on the spec list of the budget compact camera circa 2008? Panasonic's new 8.3-megapixel LS80, for example, has a 3x zoom, 2.5in LCD, 640x480pixel video mode at 30fps and MEGA OIS optical image stabilisation. And it comes in three colours – silver, black and pink.

All of which would have sounded pant-wettingly exciting a year or two ago.

But we must have been spoiled by the crop of cameras unveiled so far in 2008. Just because the LS80 isn't the world's thinnest, like the BenQ X800, and it doesn't shoot time-stopping video like the Casio EX-F1, our boxers remain tinder-dry.

Hold on a minute – UK pricing has yet to be announced, but it's going on sale Stateside for the equivalent of just £75. Nurse! More pads!